Fabric feeding control system



Feb. 6, 1940. s. COHN ET AL FABRIC FEEDING" CONTROL SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5. 1937 Feb. ,6, 1940. s. col-IN ET AL FABRIC FEEDING CONTROL SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1937 INVENTORS SAMUEL COHN BY JULES G. WALTER WW ATTORNEYS Feb. 6, 1940. s. COHN ET AL 2,189,166

FABRIC FEEDING CONTROL SYSTEM Filed March 5, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 "HIM/ INVENTORS SAMUEL COHN JULES 6. WALTER ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 6, 1940 Fannie resume CONTROL srsrau Samuel Colin and Jules G. Walter, New York,

N. Y., asslgnors to Samcoe Holding Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New 1 York Application March 5, 1931, Serial No. 129,1

18 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in the manipulation of tubular fabric and is especially directed to an improved apparatus and method for distending, guiding and aligning lengthy 6 traveling tubes of knitted material. ,Iubuiar knit fabrics are distended during continuous travel at certain stages of their manipulation, and particularly for the purpose of feeding the tube in flattened condition for winding on a 10 roller or the like. Owing to the ease with which goods of this type may be distorted it is difllcult to maintain the material in uniform condition with wales and courses straight and parallel, with all parts under even tension, and without 1 material variations in loop sizes, fabric density and appearance in different parts of the material. It is particularly desirable to maintain the alignment when the fabric carries longitudinal or transverse stripes, seams or design features.

20 Such tubes may be flattened by spreaders located within the tube and exerting a pressure at opposite sides; but such devices impose a drag on the engaged parts of the tube which distorts the courses. Where such drag is corrected by 25 the use of means imparting a counteracting propulsion to the affected parts of the fabric, such propulsion under certain circumstances may tend to impose such a strain that there is a tendency to stretch the loops on one side of the propelling so device and produce wrinkles on the other side, or otherwise to introduce distortions which go beyond the mere correction of the drag.

A principal purpose of this invention is to improve the control of the transverse alignment 35 of the courses. This has in general been accomplished by controlling the travel of the portions of the tubular knit material intermediate the, marginal retarded zones. Simplified and practical means for this purpose have been de- 40 vised, and include means for regulating the central control 'to compensate for variations in conditions.

A further object of the invention is to produce accurate longitudinal or walewise alignment, which is particularly important where the fabric includes longitudinal seams or design elements. An arrangement is also provided for correcting a diagonal distortion of the courses.

In a preferred form the correcting or. compensating devices may be adjusted without removing the fabric, and in certain instances without arresting the progress of the fabric, and provide a correction for all types of distortion or misaligngg ment.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention,

Figure 1 isa plan view of a winding frame" showing the use of a spreader provided, with one horizontal and one vertical element; 6

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the tubular fabric on the spreader as shown in Figure 1, indicating the deflection of the courses;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the fabric and the elements engaging the same 10 in Figure 1; I

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the spreader shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a transverse section through the vertical spreader element on line li -5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is ,a transverse section through the horizontal spreader element on line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a plan view similar to Figure 1 20 showing a spreader having an additional horizontal element;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the fabric and the elements engaging the same in Figure 7; a

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the fabric mounted on the spreader in Figure 7, showing the deflection of the courses;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the spreader shown in Figures 1-9; 30

Figure 11 is'a plan view of another modification provided with various adjustments;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal vertical section on line lZ-IZ of Figure 11 with parts broken away;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary detail showing the 5 mounting of the front horizontal spreader element;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of the fabric passing over portions of the front spread er unit, showing realignment of the wales; 0

Figure 15 is a plan view of a feeding frame showing another modification: and

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section on line l6l8 of Figure 15.

The invention is illustrated in its application 5 to the distention and flattening of the tubular material immediately prior to winding it on a suitable core. The particular mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 includes a frame 20 carrying a feed roller 2! on which is wound the to supply roll 22 of; tubular material 23, though it is understood that such material may be fed from various sources and in various conditions of distention or lack thereof. The fabric 23 may traverse suitable guide means such as guide as intermediate points to exert a retarding-effectengage the interior of the tube at opposite sides for-the purpose of flattening the tube,- and connected elements previously engaging the tube at 2 -at such points. Various arrangements for this purpose may be employed. A simple and efllcient construction is shown best in Figure 4, in which the means for transverse or horizontal flattening of the tube consists of a spreader element 26 having fabric engaging limbs 21 and a connecting curved front portion 26 contoured to guide the fabric smoothly over limbs 21.

The center control spreader element 29 is mounted on the spreader element 26 and has curved portions engaging the center zone of the tube intermediate the margins engaged by limbs 21. The control element 29 may have upper and lower surfaces curved to receive the fabric and allow it to travel smoothly onto the spreader element 26, such surfaces being spaced from each other appropriately to provide a predetermined frictional engagement or drag. The center control spreader element 29 is preferably circular or oval, rigidly mounted on the transverse spreader element 26 in a plane at right angles to the plane of limbs 21 and in longitudinal alignment with the center of the fabric between such limbs. The elements 26 and 29 may be constructed cheaply and conveniently of round rods integrally connected as in the form illustrated. The upper and lower runs of the spreader element 29 are preferably elongated to provide the appropriate total friction necessary to counteract the friction of the side limbs 21 of spreader 25.

Suitable means is provided for maintaining the spreader in position within the tubular mate rial 23. To prevent the spreader from traveling with the material, it is advantageously provided with a nip bar 30 connected to the ends of the limbs 21. The diameter and'contour of the nip bar 30 are such that the angle of pressure by the nip rolls 3| will prevent engagement of bar 30 between the rolls, though the friction of the fabric 23 will hold nip bar 30in fixed position between the faces of the rolls, maintaining the spreader 25 in uniform relationship thereto even though the spreader is not connected to direct supporting means and floats in the tube of material 23. Suitable supporting means for the spreader 25 located outside of the tubular material 23 may likewise be provided to prevent distortion of the fabric by the weight of the spreader, the form illustrated having a support roller 32 mounted on frame 20 and located beneath the spreader element 26, preferably spaced as far from nip rolls 3| as is practical.

. In order to assist the transition of the tubular fabric from its spread position in engagement with the vertical spreader or control element 29 to its position on the horizontal spreader element 26, and to facilitate the proper positioning of the support roller 32, suitable fabric guide elements may be employed adjacent the discharge side of spreader element 29, such as transverse guide rods 33 mounted on the frame 20 and positioned to constrict the fabric vertically in alignment with spreader element 26.

The web of tubular material 23 is fed by tension applied at a point beyond the spreader 25 by any suitable means, such as those ordinarily employed in conveying the material in connection with its Processing, particularly steaming, finish- .aisaree ing-,amtwihding. In: the'form illustrated nip rolls 3|, which may be heated through connections 34, are positively driven through a. suitable drive connected to shaft 35 on which the lower nip roll 3| is mounted. The shaft 35 has a driving connectionthrough belt or chain 36 with the support roller 37, on which the roll 38 of treated fabric rests.

. A suitable arrangement is also preferably pro-' vided for driving the spreader support roller 32;

and to avoid anydragging or accelerating effect by the roller it preferably is driven at a variable speed, the arrangement shown including a variable speed unit 39 connected to roller 32 and driven from shaft 35 by belt or chain 40.

A modification of this construction is shown in Figures 7-10 inwhich a similar mounting and feeding arrangement is employed, except that in this embodiment the tubular fabric 23 is fed from a tub 4| and through a vat eye 42 over roller 24. In this embodiment the spreader 45 includes the features of spreader 25 but in addition is provided with means operative in advance of the center control spreader element 29 to impart to the fabric an initial transverse distention which preferably is substantially in alignment with that produced by the spreader element 26. Such means may comprise a preliminary spreader element 46 having lateral portions suitably curved to separate and spread the tube into position for smooth and uniform travel over the vertical central spreading element 29; and if desired these portions may be spaced to provide an initial spreading in alignment with that produced by the element 26, which may be equal to, less than or greater than the distention produced by element 26. The preliminary spreader element 46 may be of circular or oval contour, rigidly mounted on the vertical spreader element 29 and may likewise conveniently be made of integral round rod. With this construction the support roller 32 is preferably located beneath the preliminary spreader element 46, and the guide rods 33 may also be dispensed with.

Another embodiment, illustrated in Figures 11-14, is intended for use with a wide range of fabrics, and is adapted for the accurate control of the various retarding and/or accelerating elements operating on different zones of the fabric to produce the most thorough and positive regulation of the fabric alignment, especially the accurate transverse alignment of the courses. In this form the spreading device which flattens the tubular material 23 prior to its entrance between nip rolls 3| may be of the type supported by lateral roller engagement through pressure on the margins of the fabric, such engagement being likewise utilized through control of the drive of such rollers to regulate the marginal speed of the fabric and counteract the retarding effect of the guiding members.

In the form illustrated, this spreader unit 41 may be of the type shown in Cohn U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,130,118 granted September 13, 1938, for fabric feeding system, as in the embodiment illustrated. It comprises similar fabric engaging and guiding elements at opposite sides each including a front guide bar 48, a rear guide bar 49, and an aligned connecting casting 50 provided with anti-friction rollers 5| arranged in an arc and shaped to register with the grooved periphery of a propeller roll 52 along an arc of approximately The castings 56 are transversely connected by means which is preferably adJustable in length and may include rods 63 on castings 68 slidable in sleeve 54 which is provided with'a suitable arrangement for adjustably engagingone or both of the rods 53, such as latches 56 engaging suitable recesses 56. The adjusting means should be of such a nature that it may readily be manipulated through the fabric withoutdamage or serious distortion of the fabric. The. free ends of the rear guide bars 49 extend into suitable re-- lationship to the nip rolls 3! for maintaining the fabric in spread condition up to the point of positive engagement by the rolls.

A suitable arrangement is provided for transverse adjustment and drive of the propeller rolls 62. This may include a support bracket 51 for each roll 52, slidably mounted on guide rod 58 and having a threaded engagement in appropriate directions with adjusting rod 59, journaled in the frame 20 and rotatable by means of hand wheel 60.- The worm gears Bl connected tothe propeller rolls 52 by shafts 62 journaled in brackets 5?, are driven by suitable reversed worms on worm shaft 63.

- A suitable center control unit is provided in combination with the spreader unit 41 for appropriately controlling the position of the fabric in longitudinal zones intermediate those engaged by the spreader unit. Preferably such control operates on the fabric in advance of the spreader unit 41. While various arrangements may be employed, certain forms being suggested by the spreaders described above, the preferred form illustrated employs a unit in which the longi:

tudinal travel of such center zones of the top and bottom plies is positively controlled to assure accurate compensation, for the retarding and distorting effects of the spreader unit 41. This may be accomplished by the use of propeller rolls and a vertical spreader engaged thereby, similar in some respects to the construction of unit 41, though the invention is not limited to this particular form.

In the embodiment illustrated, the fabric 23 is vertically distended by a relatively fiat spreader block 84 having anti-friction rollers 65 on its upper and lower edges adapted to cooperate with grooves in the front propeller rolls 66 mounted on shafts 61, journaled in the frame 20, and connected by pinions 68.

The spreader block 64 may be provided with a front spreader element 69 whichmay be formed of a curved rod as in the embodiment illustrated, and preferably extends vertically substantially above and below the zone of engagement between front propeller rolls 66 and the anti-friction rollers 65. The spreader element 69 may be adjustable to position'the fabric-engaging portion or portions thereof at various points transversely of the fabric. This is conveniently accomplished by pivoting the spreader element 69 on a longitudinal horizontal axis and providing means for maintaining it in various adjusted positions, preferably by means such as frictional engagement which permits adjustment of the position of this element without arresting the travel of the fabric.

A convenient arrangement is illustrated, in which the front spreader element 68 is .mounted on a pivot block ill on pivot stud ll carried by the front margin of spreader block 64, and frictionally maintained in position by spring l2 and tension-adjusting nut "on the end of the stud II.

A suitable vertical spreading device may also be mounted at the rear of the spreader block 64, and preferably has a vertical spread and length adapted to counterbalance to a material extent and resultant drag caused by the, spreader unit 41 and any auxiliary horizontal spreaders, such as front spreader 82 hereinafter described. In the form illustrated a construction similar to that of the front spreader element 69 is employed, comprising a rear spreader element 14 constructed of a suitably curved rod mounted on rear pivot block 16 rotatable on rear pivot stud l6 and fric-" tionally held by rear spring 11 and rear tensionadjusting nut 18 on stud 16. While for simplicity the vertical spreader and propeller structures condition in which the center of the upper ply of l the flattened tubular fabric is ahead of or behind the corresponding central portion of the lower ply. This may be accomplished by producing a suitable differential in the friction or retardation on the upper and lower portions respectively of the centerontrol' unit. A'simple arrangement includes constriction rods 19 extending transversely above and below the tubular fabric 23 immediately adjacent the rear spreader element 14, which is curved to produce a smooth line of travel of the fabric in frictional engagement with the spreader element It to a point immediately adjacent rods 19. An arrangement is provided for'adjusting rods 79 vertically, and may include slotted vertical guideways 80 on frame 20, frictionally engaging sliding blocks 8! in which the ends of rods 19 are mounted.

A front horizontal spreader element is preferably provided, and may be of suitable width to cooperate with the vertical spreading unit to maintain the fabric ,insuitable position for steaming, said front horizontal spreader preferably being variable in width to accommodate various sizes of tubular material without requiring any adjustments of the vertical spreader. In the form illustrated the front spreader 82 is provided with a curved front to enter the tube and relatively elongated -sides to spread the tube and retain suchdistention to and preferably through the zone of effectiveness of the propeller rolls 66. In the embodiment illustrated the front spreader 82 is constructed of a suitably shaped rod mounted"on the ends of square bars 83 slidably mounted in square sleeve 84 and held in adjusted position by suitable means operable without removing the fabric, such as latches 85 on the sleeve 84 engaging notches 86 in bars 83. 7

It has been found that when the courses or course-wise design elements approach the front spreader 82 in misalignment, with one end in advance of the other when the tube is flattened horizontally, this condition may be corrected by shifting the front spreader 82 laterally in the direction of the advanced ends of the courses, thereby increasing friction on that end and decreasing it on the other end to bring the courses into position at right angles to the direction of travel. While this transverse adjustment maybe accomplished in a variety of ways, it is very simple and effective to shift the front spreader 82 (its by mounting it on a vertical pivot. In the form against friction washers 8! bearing on sleeve 84 by manipulation of the nut 90 on the pivot bolt 01. With this arrangement the sleeve 84 carryers I9.

Suitable driving connections are provided which are preferably variable in speed at appropriate points to permit accurate adjustment of the system to varying fabric conditions. 'In the form illustrated the propeller rolls 62 of the spreader unit 41 are synchronously driven in appropriate directions from shaft 63 through variable diameter pulley 9|, belt 92, takeup 93 and pulley 94 on drive shaft 36. Front propeller rolls 66 are likewise driven by variable diameter pulley 96 on ashaft 61, belt 96, belt takeup 91, and pulley 98 on drive shaft 35.

A further modification, operating on a somewhat diiferent principle, is shown in Figures 15 and 16 (Sheet 1). In this embodiment a very simple form of spreader is disclosed, which applies friction to the margins of the flattened tube, and a control device is applied to the intermediate portions of the tube. The general effect of the control device is to restrain the travel of the intermediate portion of the tube to an extent similar to that by which the marginal portions are restrained by frictional engagement with the spreader. This intermediate restraint may be accomplished in various ways; and while the embodiment shown employs rotary members engaging the fabric and driven at a predetermined regulated rate of speed, this phase of the invention is not necessarily limited to this rotated type of mechanism but properly includes other restraining principles, the use of friction being suggested by the devices shown in other embodiments.

The embodiment shown in these figures employs a spreader I whose construction is the same as that of spreader 25 and nip bar 30 heretofore described, but omits the center control element. 29. The fabric intermediate the margins of the flattened tube and preferably adjacent the beginning of the zone of maximum frictional engagement by spreader I00 is engaged by opposed pairs of control rollers IOI contacting opposite sides of the flattened tube and provided with suitable surfaces, such as roughened rubber, for engaging the' fabric without damage thereto. A suitable number of such pairs of rollers may be employed and located as preferred with various types of fabric, the form illustrated having one pair centrally positioned and additional pairs adjacent the opposite edges of the fabric but materially spaced from the sides of spreader I00.

Suitable means is provided for rotating control rollers IOI at a fixed speed, which in cooperation with the tension applied by nip rolls 3| or corresponding devices, will restrain the central zone of the flattened fabric to an extent corresponding to the frictional restraint imposed by the spreader, resulting in a uniform transverse alignment of the courses. Various drive mechanisms may be employed, the form illustrated having shafts I02 journaled in the frame 20 and interconnected by pinions I03, one of the shafts I02 being driven at the requisite speed, preferably through a variable speed regulator I04 driven through belt I05 from drive shaft 35.

The operation of the various embodiments of the invention will be in general apparent from the detailed description. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the courses I06 of the fabric fed to the system are brought into general alignment by the spreading tension applied by the center control element or vertical spreader 29. However, the retarding effect of the upper and lowerportions of this element, combined with the pull on the fabric between these portions exerted by the nip rolls 3|, will tend to retard the portions of the fabric at the top and bottom, progressively as in Figure 2. Consequently, when the fabric comes into substantial frictional engagement with the limbs 21 of spreader 25 the central portions of the courses,which previously engaged the upper and lower parts of the vertical spreader-29, are located rearwardly of the marginal portions engaging said limbs; and the progressive retarding effect of the frictional engagement of the fabric with said limbs 21 will bring the courses at such margins back into accurate alignment with the central portions of the courses, so that at the point of engagement of the nip rolls 3| the courses will be substantially straight and at right angles to the direction of travel of the fabric 23. Where the nip rolls 3| are heated and operate to set the fabric loops, this arrangement provides more or less permanent even alignment of the courses.

The form illustrated in Figures 7 to 10 operates in a similar manner. The preliminary spreader element 46 will open up and spread the fabric, tending to retard the side edges, the vertical spreader element 29 counteracts this effect, producing the reverse effect indicated in Figure 2, so that the final spreader 25 will just counterbalance the distortion and produce straight courses. These distortion effects and corrective compensation thereof by successive spreader elements naturally require proper dimensioning of these elements, which will vary for different materials, sizes and conditions of the fabric; but by using the proper size of spreader it is possible to achieve the desired results with an extremely simple self-contained unit which does not require any fabric-engaging propeller mechanism or adjustment. Moreover, this arrangement provides two horizontal flattened zones in which the fabric may conveniently be steamed or otherwise treated, a definite advantage where it is required that the fabric be given two passes through treating devices of this type.

The form shown in Figures 7-10 is useful to increase the efilciency of the spreader units disclosed in Figures 1-4, since the vertical spreader element 29 will operate more effectively and uniformly if it receives the fabric in a somewhat spread and distended condition. For this purpose the invention'is not necessarily limited to the form or arrangement of the preliminary spreader element shown though there are definite advantages in the type illustrated. Moreover, the width of spreader element 46 may be substantially less or more than the width of spreader 26, to assist in the proper coordination of the effects of the three elements and to accomplish the primary purpose of spreader 46 without producing exces sive distortion of the fabric by engagement therewith.

The operation of the construction shown in Figures 11 and 12 employs the same general principles but introduces a substantial number of refinements. The spreader unit 41 employs the general principle of operation set forth in connection with the above-mentioned copending application. This involves a retarding stress at the tube margins exerted by the front guide bars 40, a compensating forward stress exerted lid , essence by the propeller rolls 5!, which preferably is suflicient to advance the'contiauousportions of' corresponding courses, and the rear'guide; bars '49 exert a retarding stress sumcient to draw the marginal portions of the fabric back to' an extent which will produce straight, transverse alignment of the courses at the point where the fabric. is engaged by the nip rolls 3|.

In this connection itmay be stated that in addition to the rearward or forward deflection of portions of the fabric by engagement with frictional members such as rods 49 or with positive propelling means such as mils 52, stresses of this type likewise have a material effect upon the loop structure of the knitted fabric, especially when the fabric is still moist and has not received a set by dryin Dressing or .the like. This effect involves a certain lengthening of the loops in thezone where longitudinal stresses are applied, particularly where such zones are adjacent to portions of the fabric that are not subject to such stresses and which therefore permit a certain crosswise shifting of the threads. Such loop distortion in restricted areas results in a distorted and uneven fabric. This difllculty has been avoided in the present invention by maintaining the central portions of the fabric under a definite tension control, the arrangements disclosed having been found to compensate for any localized loop distortion and to produce a uniform knitted structure at the nip rolls 3|.

The tubular fabric 23 may be given accurately the desired width, and is subjected to the optifit mum spreading tension, by suitable adjustment of the spreader unit 47 through manipulation of latches 55, with corresponding spacing of the propeller rolls 5? by manipulating hand wheel' 88. The effective width of unit 41 can be adjusted without removing the tubular fabric, which is of substantial importance inqpermitting correction of an improper adjustment without removing the fabric from the machine; and the appropriate regulation of the speed of propeller rolls 52 during operation, as by adjustment of variable diameter pulley 9i, likewise permits very accurate regulation of the effect of such rolls and a consequent accuracy in the alignment of the courses at hip rolls 3|.

The length and contour of the rear spreader element i8 and the speed of the front propeller rolls 86 are, arranged and adjusted to provide a suitable central control of the tube which will cooperate with the marginal control exercised by the spreader unit t! to permit accurate and effective operation under practical working conditions. Any tendency of the upper ply of the tube to feed ahead of the lower ply can be corrected by lowering rods l9,'the opposite effect being corrected by raising the rods. Courses or coursewise designs entering the apparatus in a diagonal position such as that of courses M6 in Figure 11 may be aligned by swinging front horizontal spreader 82 toward the advanced ends of such courses, an adjustment which may readily be accomplished while the fabric is traveling by a simple pressure on the fabric at the appropriate side of front spreader 82; and the angle of the spreader can be promptly and easily adjusted to correct such distortion with complete accuracy.

The correction of a spiral or helical distortion of the wales, walewise scams or design elementsis somewhat more complicated, and is affected by the natural tendency of circular knit fabric to assume a spiral form owing to certain knitting tensions. This is corrected by rotating sthe front spreader .89 so that it is transversely ofl'set from the front propeller rolls 86. It has been found by practical experience that in thisposition there is a tendency for the propeller rolls 88 to pull the fabric arounclthe lead end of the spreader element 59, thereby shifting the fabric transversely to an extent dependentupon various factors, including the extent of such offset, the shape and length of the spreader element 69, the radial elevation of the operative portions of spreader 69 above the points of engagement of propeller rolls 88 with the fabric,

and the dirction'of theinherent helical twist of the fabric. The adjustment however may be made by the operator without interrupting the travel ofthe fabric, and the frictional support of the spreader element 88 will serve to maintain it in adjusted position. A similar effect may be obtained by a homologous rotation of the rear vertical spreader element II.

It will. be noted that with this arrangement the fabric will be subjected to a manipulation and variation in distention and form at various stages which will facilitate the equalization of the loops of the knitting. Moreover, the front horizontal spreader 82 cooperates with the constriction rods- I9 and the final spreader unit 41 to preserve a certain continuous transverse tension on the fabric. The reduction in diameter of the tubing adjacent propeller rolls 66 facilitates the action of these rolls and cooperates with the offsetting of the vertical spreaders 8 8 and ill.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 15 and 16 the speed of control rollers I01 may be adjusted through the variable speed connectionltll during operation of the machine to smooth out any tendency to curvature of the courses under particular conditions. the arrangement 7 shown maintaining a positive control of the alignment of courses of the flattened tube by engagement at spaced points.- While they are intended to maintain a positive engagement with the, fabric, they are not necessarily limited thereto, and an arrangement in which rollers Jill or other elements similarly located may have a non-positive or frictional engagement with the fabric may be employed.

In connection with the operation of this fbrm it is noted that the invention in its broadest phases includes various other possible methods of application, and for instance need not be restricted to a structure such as that which is disclosed, in which the pairs of rollers llli press the upper and lower plies of the fabric against each other, the interposition of a suitable spaclng member being for instance disclosed in Figures 11 and 12 in asimilar structure. a

The arrangement disclosed is particularly suitable for steaming the cloth by standard methods. The steam may be appliedto the flattened material either in the horizontal or the vertical plane; and since the fabric is flattened at least twice in all of the forms disclosed, it may be subjected to two successive steaming operations. For instance, steam may be applied to the fabric on spreader elements 26, 29 and 46 or any combination thereof, and likewise to fabthat these elements may be combined in various other ways within the scope of the invention.

For convenience the terms -v'ertical" and horizontal" have been employed, since they represent the usual position of the elements to which they pertain; but these terms are not intended to be restrictive, the term "horizontal" or "transverse being intended to denote a direction parallel to the surface of the flattened tubular material 23 between nip rolls 3| andnormal' to the direction of travel, while the-term vertical is intended to denote a direction normal to said surfaces.

In all of the embodiments except that shown in Figures 15 and 16, the devices controlling the travel of the fabric between the margins of the flattened tube have been shown as operable only along the center line of the fabric; but while such an arrangement has some advantages and permits theuse of simplified and effective apparatus, such showing is not intended to be restrictive.

We claim:

1. A spreading device for flattening traveling 4 tubular fabric by internal engagement therewith,

comprising spreading means for flattening the fabric tube in one plane, and spaced means for flattening the tube in another plane.

2. A spreading device for flattening traveling tubular fabric by internal engagement therewith comprising a spreader unit adapted for location within the fabric tube and including an element for flattening the tube in one plane, and a connected element for flattening the tube in another,

plane.

3. A spreading device for flattening traveling tubular fabric by internal engagement therewith comprising a spreader unit adapted for location within the fabric tube and including a spreader element for flattening the tube in one plane, a

I second spreader element for flattening the tube in a second plane intersecting the preceding plane on a line extending longitudinally of the .fabric path, and a third spreader element for flattening the tube in a plane intersecting the second plane on a line extending longitudinally of the path of the fabric.

4. A spreading device for flattening traveling tubular fabric by internal engagement therewith, comprising a spreader unit adapted for location within the fabric tube and comprising a spreader element for flattening the tube in one plane, a spreader element for flattening the tube in another plane, and means operable through the fabric for adjusting the width of a spreader element.

5. A spreading device for flattening traveling tubular fabric by internal engagement therewith, comprising means adjustable in width for spreading fabric in a predetermined plane, preliminary means for spreading the fabric to a fixed extent in another plane, and adjustable width spreading means cooperating with said preliminary means to distend the fabric in the first-mentioned a,1se,1es.-

" ing the upper and lower plies of the flattened lusting the engagement of the spreader with at least one marginal restricted zone of the fabric to apply a variable differential retarding effect to said zones arranged to correct diagonal distortion. I

9. A spreading device for flattening traveling tubular fabric by internal engagement therewith, including means internally engaging the tube to guide the tube in flattened condition along a predetermined path and means internally engaging the fabric in advance of the guiding means and having a fabric engaging portion laterally movablet relative to the path for varying the relative re ardation of opposite sides of the tube to correct diagonal distortion.

10. A spreading device for flattening traveling tubular fabric by internal engagement therewith comprising means internally engaging the fabric in opposite marginal restricted zones to flattn the tube and guide it in a predetermined path, and means engaging the fabric in said zones in advance of the guiding means and arranged for simultaneous lateral adjustment in both fabric-engaging zones relative to said path to vary the relative retardation of the marginal portions of the flattened tube and correct diagonal distortion.

11. A spreading device for flattening traveling tubular fabric as set forth in claim 10, in which the retardation-varying means consists of a unitary spreading device engaging both marginal zones of the fabric and pivotally mounted for lateral adjustment.

12. A spreading device for flattening traveling tubular fabric by internal engagement therewith,

comprising means for flattening the fabric tube, and means for imparting a helical adjustment including means applying a feeding propulsion to the fabric in a transversely restricted zone, and means engaging the interior of the tube for producing an elevation in the fabric located diagonally immediately in advance of the propulsion means.

13. A spreading device for flattening traveling tubular fabric by internal engagement therewith, comprising means for flattening the fabric tube,

and means for imparting a helical adjustment comprising propulsion devices engaging opposite sides of the flattened tube and a spreader element engaging opposite sides of the tube immediately in advance of the feed devices and adjustable transversely to distend the tube radially farther than the propulsion device in selected localized zones transversely offset from said devices.

14. The system of manipulating tubular fabric into flattened aligned condition comprising subjecting the fabric tube during travel to an initial flattening and localized retardation in opposite zones, and thereafter subjecting it to flattening in another plane and corresponding retardation in intermediate zones.

15. The system of manipulating tubular fabric to bring it into flattened aligned condition comprising subjecting the fabric to successive separate flattening operations, and steaming the fabric during said flattening.

16. The system of manipulating tubular fabric to produce a flattened aligned-tube which comprises continuously feeding the tube to a spreading device engaging the interior of the tube at opposite sides, and applying variable relative resistance at said sides to align diagonal- 1y distorted portions of the tube.

17. The system of manipulating tubular fabric to produce a flattened aligned tube which comprises continuously feeding the tube to a flattenin spreading device, and applyin diflerential speed control to the upper and lower plies of the flattened tube adapted to bring them into 9.11811- ment.

18. The system for manipulating tubular fabric to produce a flattened aligned tube which comprises applying localized distention to the tube, and applying localized traction to the tube at a lower point transversely offset from and immediately following the point of distension arranged to draw the fabric transversely around the distending means and impart a helical correction to the fabric.

SAMUEL COHN. JULES G. WALTER. 

